Pipe coupling



Aug. 16, 1938. y J. R. YANcl-:Y 2,126,857

PIPE GOUPLING Filed Aug. 1'7', 1937 2 Sheets--Shee'c- 1 43 l JGZ/7 ymcely Aug'. 16, 1938. J, R YANCEY 2,126,857

PIPE COUPLING Filed Aug. 17,l 1957 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented 16,' -1938 PATENT OFFICE PIPE COUPIJNG John R. Yancey, Houston, Tex., assigner to Gray Tool Company, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application August 17, 1937, Serial No. 159,587

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to pipe couplings, and particularly to pipe couplings of variable length, thus obviating to a considerable extent the cutting of special lengths on the job.

-While the coupling of the present invention is of generalapplication, I have illustrated its use, in the accompanying' drawings, in a well head installation.

In bringing in a well, for example, it may be desired to flow for a time from both the casing and tubing through a common line to an oil separator. Different well head installations vary considerably, and heretofore in making the necessary connections special lengths have ordinarily had to be prepared on the job. After the well has cleared, the casing outlet need no longer be used and is discarded since it is of no use for any other installation. By the use of the coupling of the present invention, considerable time and labor is saved and the coupling may be readjusted and used on other installations. It is an object of the invention to provide such a coupling which is readily adjustable and safe in use.

I shall describe the invention with reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axial section of the new coupling.

Figure 2 is an axial section of the new coupling taken at right angles to the section of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is an elevationA of a well head installation involving the use of two of lthe new couplings. M

.Referring rst to Figures 1 to 3, the couplingv generally designated at I0 comprises partially telescoped tubular member Il and I2.

The tubular member II includes an upper cylindrical portion i3 and a lower cylindrical portion i3 of larger diameter. As here shown, the upper extremity of portion I4 is provided with internal threads I5 to enable it to be joined with a threaded pipe end. Below the threaded zone I5 is an annularly enlarged chamber I6 bounded downwardly by an annular rib I l. Below the rib Il is an annular cavity I8 provided with threads I9. Below the threaded zone I9 is an enlarged bore 2B provided at its lower extremity with internal threads 2|.

The cylindrical portion It is provided with diametrically opposite openings r22 and 23 which have the vertically extending parallel edges 24,

25 and 26, 21, respectively. Externally, portion I4 is provided with the threads 28.

The member I2 is provided at its lower extremity with external threads I2' engageable in the ordinary coupling member. The upper end of 5 member I2 is in the chamber I6, being guided by the rib I1. Below the rib is an annular packing 29 which is compressed by a gland nut 30 engaged with threads I9. A cap 3| has an externally threaded skirt 32 engaged with the threads 10 2|. The end wall of the cap has an opening slidably receiving member I2. The skirt 32 is spaced outwardly of member I2 to provide a chamber receiving an annular packing 33 which is compressed by a gland nut 34.

Medially, member I2 is provided with radially projecting threads 35 Which are engaged in the threaded opening of a plate 3 6 in the nature of a cross-head,v this plate having parallel edges spaced apart only slightly less than the space be- 20 tween the side walls of openings 22 and 23. The ends ofthe cross-head 36 project through the said openings and are rounded on an arc struck from the axis of the coupling unit. One end of the cross-head, as here shown, is provided with 25 a threaded radial bore in which is engaged a screw 31 whose inner end may be set in a recess 38 in member I2 to lock the latter and the crosshead positively against relative rotation.

Engaged with the threads 28 of member Ill is 30 a nut 39 provided with radially projecting operating handles 40. The nut has an internal annular recess 4|, which receives the end portions of the cross-head 33 with a sliding fit. The nut has diametrically opposite openings 42 and 43 35 Whose width is slightly greater than that of the cross-head.

Since the ends of the cross-head are engaged in the recess 4I of the nut, and since the crosshead is fixed to member I2, it will be evident that 40 when the nut is screwed up or down member I2 will be forced to follow it. Engagement of the cross-head with the lateral edges of the openings 22 and 23 positively restrains member I2 from rotation with the nut. i

In assembling, the packing 29 is placed in recess I8 and nut 3|! is engaged, to some extent, with threads I9. Nut 33 is engaged with threads 28 and the cross-head is inserted through one of the'other of openings 42 and 43. Member I2 50 may now be inserted through the cross-head, gland nut and packing and turned relative to the cross-headto engage the threads 35 with the latter, wherupon screw 3l may be turned to position. The cap, with the packing 33 and nut 55 34, may now be slipped over the end of member I2 and engaged with threads 2|. Gland nuts 30 and 34 are tightened to compress the packings and the coupling is ready for use.

It will be evident that unless nut 39 is being turned, it serves to positively secure members II and I2 against relative longitudinal movement and this is a feature of importance where high pressures, as in oil well installations, are encountered.

In Figure 4 the installation comprises a casing head 44 with a anged casing outlet 45, the

head being surmounted by a Christmas tree 46, including a cross having an arm 4'| above the outlet 45. The outlet line for the casing includes a valve 48 and an angle 49, the latter including a tting 5D in which is engaged the threaded end I2 of a coupling I0. The internal threads I5 of coupling member II are engaged with the threaded end of a T-tting 5|, yhere shown as forming a part of a choke valve 52.

The tubing outlet is connected through a valve 53 and a coupling I0 with an angle fitting 54, which is joined to the fitting 5| opposite the first coupling. A common outlet from the choke valve is provided at 55. top coupling I0, as here shown, is threaded into a coupling flange 56 in order to be engageable with a similar ange of the valve 53.

It will be understood that variations in vertical distance between the head outlets are readily taken care of by the vertically disposed coupling I0, horizontal discrepancies being provided for by adjustment of the horizontally disposed coupling I0. The installation has been completed with standard parts, due to the adjustability of the couplings.

It will be understood that the application of the new couplings is by no means confined to -well head installation and the showing of Figure 4 is merely given by way of example. Also, variations in form andrelation of the coupling parts may be made without departure from the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A variable length pipe coupling comprising v a pair of tubular members of which one is partially telescoped with the other with a huid-tight sliding fit, a nut threaded on the outer of said members for travel in a longitudinal direction thereof, said outer member having a side opening therein, and means xed on the inner member and engaging said nut through said opening whereby said inner member is caused to follow said nut.

2. A variable length pipe coupling comprising The member I2 of thea pair of tubular members of which one is partially telescoped within the other with a fluidtight sliding t, the outer member having opposite side openings and being provided with external threads interrupted by said openings, a nut engaged with said, threads, and a crosshead having a central opening in which the inner member is received and releasably secured, said cross-head having portions projecting through said openings and said nut having an internal annular groove receiving the projecting portions `Wall provided with an opening and carrying a packing includinga gland nut, a second tubular member slidably received in said packings and having an end projecting outwardly of the rst member, and adjusting means including means carried by the rst tubular member operable to impart positive longitudinal relative movement to the second tubular member, said adjusting said nut.

6. A variable length pipe coupling comprising a pair of tubular members of which one is partially telescoped within the other, packing means providing a seal between said members, and adjusting means including means carried by one of said members operable to impart positive longitudinal relative movement to the other member, said adjusting means serving to positively hold said members in adjusted position and to prevent relative rotation of said members.

J'OHN R. YANCEY. 

